Karol Zarucki chipped in two doubles wins with Ivan Kovalev and a singles victory on Friday.

Sept. 25, 2004

Peoria, Ill.- The University of Illinois at Chicago men's tennis team began their quest for a Horizon League title on Friday, opening the fall slate with an outstanding day at the annual Bradley Invitational in Peoria.

The Flames, featuring four returnees and three newcomers, went perfect in singles play, winning all six of their matches, while taking three doubles victories.

Karol Zarucki resumed his 2004 role as a top doubles player by teaming with newcomer Ivan Kovalev, a transfer from Lousiana-Lafayette, to lead the team with two doubles wins. The duo downed Dayton's Tom Murphy and James O'Connell by an 8-3 count, then went on to defeat UIC teammate Eric Fey and Bradley's Scott Roebuck, who were paired in a combined team bracket, for an 8-4 win.

Fey, a freshman out of St. Charles, Ill., made a strogn singles debut, winning his first collegiate match with a 6-4, 7-5 decision over Valpo's Mike Shideler.

Andy Lockhart, a Hinsdale native who transferred from Purdue, won his singles debut for the Flames with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Bradley's Paul Craigen. Lockhart also chipped in a doubles win.